Gaming classic Battlezone returns with first-look trailer

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The project is part of a multi-title revamp of the Battlezone franchise on Rebellion's part. This game, the newly-monikered Battlezone 98 Redux, puts players in command of advanced tanks and aerial fighters, and lets them have at it in open warfare. Unsurprisingly given the title, it's a remake of Activision's 1998 title, which itself was an update of the original arcade game.

The new version is set in an alternate 1960s timeline, where the space race between the US and Soviet Russia is little more than a cover up. In reality, the powers are engaged in an interplanetary war over mysterious alien bio-metals, a conflict that takes place across the Moon, Mars, Venus, Titan, Io and Europa.

Needless to say, the 2016 remake -- developed by Big Boat Interactive -- visually outperforms both the vector graphics of Atari's 1980 classic and the PC shooter. Battlezone 98 Redux promises a hybrid of sci-fi vehicle shooter combat and real time strategy gameplay, with online multiplayer and support for Steam Workshop mods.

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Rebellion is also developing a virtual reality version of Battlezone, currently set for release on PlayStation VR. WIRED had a look at the game at E3 2015, finding it "an extremely entertaining and immersive game experience that was defined by VR, but not limited by it."

There's no launch date yet for Battlezone 98 Redux beyond "spring 2016" but players can register interest in advance on the official site now, with a chance to win Steam keys.